Lies That Bind

The Ember War, Book 2

By: Leia Stone

Narrated by: Vanessa Moyen

Book two in the Ember War Series.

©2024 Leia Stone (P)2024 Leia Stone

Great but too short

Loving the storyline but it definitely felt like it could have gone further before ending. But the author did put out two books in one year for this series so I get it. 🤷‍♀️

4.5 ⭐️ Intense & Emotional

Wow! This was such an intense follow up.
Aishling is dealing with so much, becoming Empress, fending off attacks, trying to discover the truth, and learning that she must now face someone Liana considers Evil.
There was so much action and grief, loss, frustration & betrayal.
Aisling has a long road ahead of her, and figuring out the kind of leader she wants to be will be harder than she expected.

did it have to end that way?

it's only 5hrs long is my only setback to this book it was too short. it's a good book but way too short most books I listened to are 8hrs so I'm disappointed

"Navigating Trust and Turmoil: A Journey Through Lies That Bind"

Leia Stone's "Lies That Bind" delves into themes of trust, manipulation, and the psychological struggles that come with betrayal, especially from those closest to us. The review highlights a keen understanding of how mental and verbal abuse can shape a person's reality, particularly when experienced by someone young and impressionable.

The female lead's journey is compelling as she's portrayed as both vulnerable and resilient, navigating her role as a young leader while grappling with her inexperience. Her struggles feel authentic, reflecting the complexity of growing into one's responsibilities while dealing with personal and external challenges.

The anticipation for book three suggests the series promises growth and redemption, even as the protagonist stumbles through missteps on her path. The reader hopes for smoother sailing ahead, acknowledging that these trials are essential for the heroine's evolution. It sounds like an engaging series for those who enjoy emotionally charged narratives and character-driven plots.

Moving onto book 3

𝑳𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑩𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑳𝒆𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆

I listened to this the day after listening to book one. While I enjoyed it, it didn't live up to my expectations.

I loved seeing more of Elaine. The part with her as the spy was the best part of the book.

While she had character development, I didn't feel like Ash did. She had moments of more maturity, but there were too many times when she just needed to listen and wouldn't. I hope she matures a bit in book 3, but even if she does, I'm not sure how Stone can fix all the things that broke in this book.

Since I was listening, I'm not sure if I missed something (because nobody else has mentioned it) or if one of the characters just disappeared, forgotten about. Ash had one rider with her when they bombed Luska, and Kohen had three. Then only three others were mentioned for the rest of the time.